Monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline

Abstract

Monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline, comprising: providing an inspection device ( 1 ) in expanded polymeric or elastomeric material comprising at least one measurement instrument ( 2, 3 ), said measurement instrument including at least one casing and at least one sensor; introducing said inspection device into the pipeline ( 5 ); recovering said inspection device; wherein said casing is made of polymeric or elastomeric material, having a density, measured according to the regulation ASTM D3574, higher than or equal to 30 kg/m3, preferably ranging from 700 to 2,000 kg/m3. Said method allows the continuous registration and storage of useful parameters for revealing defects and/or anomalies inside the pipeline ( 5 ) that transports gas and/or liquids, as well as possible variations in the internal diameter of the same.

The invention claime is:  
     
       1. A monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline, comprising:
 providing an inspection device of expanded polymeric or elastomeric material comprising at least one measurement instrument, said measurement instrument including at least one casing and at least one sensor; 
 introducing said inspection device into the pipeline; and 
 recovering said inspection device; 
 wherein said casing is made of polymeric or elastomeric material, having a density higher than or equal to 30kg/m 3  and wherein said measurement instrument has an overall density ranging from 0.8times to 1.2times the average density of liquid conveyed in the pipeline. 
 
     
     
       2. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric or elastomeric material of said casing of said measurement instrument has a density ranging from 700kg/m 3  to 2,000kg/m 3 . 
     
     
       3. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said pipeline conveys gases and/or liquids. 
     
     
       4. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein a larger dimension of said measurement instrument is lower than or equal to 60mm. 
     
     
       5. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein in said inspection device said expanded polymeric or elastomeric material has a density ranging from 25kg/m 3  to 150kg/m 3 . 
     
     
       6. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said expanded polymeric or elastomeric material of said inspection device is selected from polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polystyrenes, polyesters or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       7. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric or elastomeric material of said casing of the measurement instrument is selected from polyurethanes, polyethylenes polystyrenes, polyesters, acetals or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       8. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensor of said measurement instrument is selected from:
 pressure sensors, 
 temperature sensors, 
 acceleration sensors, 
 image sensors equipped with illumination systems, 
 or combinations thereof. 
 
     
     
       9. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said inspection device comprises at least two measurement instruments, positioned on the surfaces of said inspection device which are not in contact with the internal walls of the pipeline and which are opposite of each other. 
     
     
       10. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said measurement instrument comprises at least one energy source and at least one data storage means. 
     
     
       11. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said measurement instrument is equipped with at least one anchoring system to said inspection device. 
     
     
       12. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein said inspection device is recovered by means of an interception station. 
     
     
       13. The monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline according to  claim 1 , wherein, after recovering said inspection device, data stored in a data storage means is discharged into a data analysis centre capable of processing them. 
     
     
       14. An inspection device for pipelines made of expanded polymeric or elastomeric material comprising at least one measurement instrument including at least one casing and at least one sensor characterized in that said casing is in polymeric or elastomeric material having a density higher than or equal to 30kg/m 3 , wherein said measurement instrument has an overall density ranging from 0.8times to 1.2times the average density of liquid conveyed in the pipelines. 
     
     
       15. The inspection device for pipelines according to  claim 14 , wherein said polymeric or elastomeric material of said casing has a density ranging from 700to 2,000kg/m 3 . 
     
     
       16. The inspection device for pipelines according to  claim 14 , wherein a larger dimension of said measurement instrument is lower than or equal to 60mm. 
     
     
       17. The inspection device for pipelines according to  claim 14 , wherein said expanded polymeric or elastomeric material of said inspection device has a density higher than or equal to 20kg/m 3 . 
     
     
       18. The inspection device for pipelines according to  claim 14 , wherein said expanded polymeric or elastomeric material of said inspection device is selected from polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polystyrenes, polyesters, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       19. The inspection device for pipelines according to  claim 14 , wherein said polymeric or elastomeric material of said casing of the measurement instrument is selected from polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polystyrenes, polyesters, acetals or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       20. The inspection device for pipelines according to  claim 14 , wherein said sensor of said measurement instrument is selected from:
 pressure sensors, 
 temperature sensors, 
 acceleration sensors, 
 image sensors, equipped with illumination systems, 
 or combinations thereof.